Caring for the digestive health needs of Lancaster County for more than 40 years, but now as one practice.

We have exciting news for you: after more than 40 years of service to Lancaster County and nearby communities, Lancaster Gastroenterology Inc. (LGI) and Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster, LTD (RGAL) have joined to form a single team capable of meeting your digestive healthcare needs: Regional Gi. In addition to benefiting the community with expanded services and the talents and experience of our combined provider teams, the new Regional Gi offers:

Enhanced convenience, efficiency, and communication between providers and patients

The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) recently announced new appointments to its governance structure, including several new Specialty Board members and Exam Committee members. Regional Gi’s Christopher E. Shih, MD, was named as member of ABIM’s Gastroenterology Board Exam Committee.

“Specialty Boards have helped ABIM engage physicians across several disciplines to rate MOC exam content to ensure it reflects what physicians in practice need to know,” said Richard J. Baron, MD, President and CEO of ABIM. “Our new members will make important contributions to the process, which will remain essential as ABIM plans to begin offering physicians MOC assessment options that better meet their needs. ABIM governance will also lead ongoing conversations with the community to help refine these options.”

Christopher E. Shih, MD, graduated cum laude from Harvard University and earned his medical degree at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Shih completed his internal medicine residency training at the University of Pennsylvania and his gastroenterology fellowship at Johns Hopkins.

“It’s a great honor for me to be one of only a handful of physicians chosen nationwide to be on this committee,” said Shih. “I look forward to working with some of the brightest minds in the country in the field of gastroenterology. I will strive to represent Regional Gi well in helping to develop an exam that fairly and accurately assesses a physician’s abilities and competency.”

Regional Gi is the area’s leading gastroenterology specialty practice. We are committed to helping those affected by diseases of the gastrointestinal tract including the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines. Our board-certified gastroenterology specialists will see you — and treat you — with the professionalism and care that you deserve.

Regional Gi is proud to accept patients at Lancaster General Health’s newly relocated and renovated Women’s Specialty Center. The center provides state-of-the-art, focused and personalized care to women, by women.

The Women’s Specialty Center is located at 690 Good Drive, 2nd Floor, Lancaster, PA 17601, adjacent to Women and Babies Hospital.

According to Director of Clinical Services, Deneen Ostasewski, “The Women’s Specialty Center will serve women suffering from comorbidity. There, an on-site nurse navigator will arrange the entire office visit. Patients will have access to a spectrum of health services — primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, and physical therapy. It’s much more convenient for patients. We are offering a comprehensive approach to health care.”

As an independent specialty practice, Regional Gi is proud to work collaboratively with Lancaster General Health.

“Women go through live stages and events that uniquely impact their gastrointstinal systems,” explains Dr. Cheshty, M.D. “Women have more abdominal surgeries than men, including C-sections and hysterectomies. In addition, pregnancies, hormonal fluctuations, and stages of menopause can all impact GI health.”

For more information or to speak with a member of our team, please contact us today or call (717) 869-4600. We look forward to serving you!

Dr. Sadiya Cheshty

MD: State University of New YorkResidency: North Shore University Hospital – NYU School of Medicine, Manhasset, NYClinical and Research Fellowship: Loyola University Medical Center – Stritch School of Medicine, IL
Internal Medicine and GastroenterologyAreas of Interest: Women’s Health, Hepatitis, Nutrition, EUS

Regional Gi is proud to offer same or next day appointments. For more information, please visit www.regionalgi.com. Remember, as we prepare for the end of the year, it is important to schedule your colonoscopy screenings. These lifesaving and preventive procedures can detect colon cancer before it happens!

Did you miss the 4th Annual Lancaster County Women’s Expo at Millersville University? Attendees were given a wonderful opportunity to learn more about gastrointestinal health and wellness, including the variety of gastrointestinal services that Regional Gi provides to the community. Many thanks to all those who participated! Thank you for making this year’s event a huge success!

It is important to understand the difference between a screening and diagnostic colonoscopy. It is very important that you talk to your insurance company on your benefits and their criteria, as this can have an effect on your out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles or co-insurance.Most insurance plans will cover screening colonoscopies, while diagnostic will be applied to your deductible or co-insurance.

Screening Colonoscopy Factors:
• No symptoms before the procedure
• No findings during the procedure (polyps, diverticulosis, etc.)
• No personal history of cancer or polyps
• No family history of cancer or polyps (some insurances consider this high risk)

Diagnostic Colonoscopy Factors:
• Symptoms before the procedure such as change in bowel habits,
rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, etc.
• Findings during the procedure (polyps, cancer, diverticulosis, etc)
• Personal history of cancer or polyps
• Family history of cancer or polyps (some insurances consider this high risk

Important Note: Disclaimer – Regional Gi follows appropriate coding guidelines and procedures. A screening procedure may become diagnostic based on the findings during the colonoscopy or symptoms you are experiencing.

The points noted above are to be used for informational purposes only, as insurance and benefits criteria vary by plan.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your insurance company to verify your benefits and “out-of-pocket” costs for screening vs. diagnostic colonoscopies.

She has 25 years of experience in patient care and was most recently the Manager (Associate Director) of the Emergency Department of Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. She has a BS in nursing from LaSalle University and a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Wilmington University.

If you didn’t already know, our very own Dr. Christopher Shih is a nationally recognized pianist who has been featured in publications such as The New York Times as “an intelligent and thoughtful musician,” with “effortless performances” and “consummate control,”. He will be performing on Thursday March 27 at 7pm along with Nerek Hajhanaryan (cello) at the Ware Center of Millersville University located in Lancaster city.

This event is open to the public, reserved seating is required. To purchase tickets: Click Here to purchase online, call the ticket office at (717) 872-3811 or at the Ware Center Box Office (42 N. Prince Street, Lancaster). Ticket Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You won’t want to miss this wonderful performance!

Along with the prestigious ASGE Award, we are extremely honored to announce our recognition from the Patient Safety Authority.

We presented a summary of all quality initiatives and changes that have been implemented in the last couple of years, which led to our practice being a leader in patient safety. Seeing as though this was a collaborative effort, we are very proud of our team as they have been consistently thorough in all initiatives regarding our quality and patient safety.

“Patient Safety Awareness Week is a great time for the Authority to recognize those individuals and groups within Pennsylvania’s healthcare facilities who have taken the steps necessary to improve patient safety within their facility,” Mike Doering, executive director of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority said.

Our practice was one of ten in the state of Pennsylvania that is being recognized for our commitment to patient safety, and is the only non-hospital being recognized.

Regional Gi receives National Quality and Safety Recognition from ASGE

Regional Gi has also received the prestigious National Quality and Safety Recognition from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). It is an honor to be awarded along with an elite group of 35 other endoscopy centers in Pennsylvania, being the only center located in Lancaster County.

The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy centers that have demonstrated a commitment to patient safety and quality in endoscopy.

“We are one of the few facilities in the state that has gone through this rigorous process by attending courses in Philadelphia and adequately implemented the training, rules and regulations of quality and safety into our office.” says Dr. Dale Rosenberg.

“We have to re-apply for this achievement every three years, so it is an ongoing process. We want our patients to know that we are up to date on all regulations required.”